Delton Dunford

(From Midland Cremation Society)

Delton Dean Dunford, age 81, a retired business owner, mechanic, and jack-of-all-trades, died Friday, March 14, 2025, at his home in Pittsburg, KS. 

For the past year, he had bravely fought pancreatic cancer. He lived most of his adult life in Pittsburg, KS. He was born to Delwin and Mildred Dunford on November 2, 1943, in Pierre, South Dakota. He graduated from La Sierra Academy in Riversdale, California, in 1961. 

He was married to Joy Dunford; they later divorced.

He worked at Sears and Roebuck for several years in Pittsburg before owning and operating Del’s Auto Sales from 1983 to 2009. He retired in 2009. After retiring, he and his partner, Connie, and their two travel buddies, Mike and Barbara, traveled the United States by motorcycle and later by travel trailer, camping and sightseeing. They were able to see our great country coast to coast, along with parts of Canada and Mexico, with their favorite places being the Pacific Northwest.

Some of his hobbies included restoring vehicles, road trips, garage sales, woodworking, and gathering with family and friends. Dad didn’t know a stranger and was always there to lend a helping hand.

Delton was preceded in death by his parents, Delwin and Mildred Dunford, and a sister, Janice Boatwright. 

He is survived by his partner of 43 years, Connie Shonk of Pittsburg, KS; his sisters, Darlene Heinrich and husband Clayton of Washington and Jan Stoyanowski and husband Albert of British Columbia, Canada; his brother, Lauren Dunford, and wife Eulata of Lamar, MO, his sons, Dennis Dunford and wife Penny of Rocky Ford, CO; Jeff Dunford and wife Betty of Pittsburg, KS; Steven Mariucci and Ron Betzer Jr. of Pittsburg, KS, his daughters, Lori Dunford of Hepler, KS; Lisa Westhoff and husband Joe of Hepler, KS; Shelly Mariucci of Pittsburg, KS.

He also leaves behind six grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Per his wishes, he was cremated. A celebration of life is planned for April 27th, with time and place to be announced.

Anyone wishing to donate may do so to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network in his memory. We hope that one day there will be a cure for this terrible disease. In life, he was physically able to fix most things that weren’t working. Sadly, this cancer was the one thing he couldn’t fix.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends